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Seeing Isn't Always Believing  by shirebound 15 Review(s)
Kara's AuntyReviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/29/2008
Hello again!

This was a very moving piece. So like Sam to struggle with guilt for things beyond his control. Sometimes that good Hobbit sense just deserts him when it's most needed. But that's Survivor's Guilt for you...

I loved the scene between him and Elrond and had forgotten that they shared a common experience - trying to reason with a friend at the edge of sanity on the Cracks of Doom.

Great work (again).

Maureen :)

Author Reply: Thank you, Maureen! I'm so happy to contribute Sam stories for you to enjoy. It's fun to bring together unlikely companions, such as Sam and Elrond, and find out what they have in common.

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 8 on 9/29/2007
I loved the 'astounding new height' of M&P - that was cute and probably a decided shock for Sam!

This was great - I'm glad you thought of Sam and having Elrond speak with him. As much as Sam loved Frodo - it must have killed him to have 'let' the Ring take his Master. Wonderful insight and great writing!

Author Reply: Thank you so much. There are few conversations between Sam and Elrond, and this seemed like a good subject for them.

lbiloverReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/9/2007
What a lovely and comforting scene. Elrond is the perfect person to talk to Sam, and that he was able to show Sam just how much he *did* succeed at Mount Doom makes me feel happy and warm inside :-) Thank you for this!

Author Reply: Awww, thank you. This makes me feel happy and warm, too. I just loved this bunny. :D

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/7/2007
It is fascinating when you spot parallels that you had never considered before! Being compared to Elrond must have been rather disconcerting to Sam - especially when he could consider that Frodo, unlike Isildur, is now free of the Ring.

Author Reply: There's seemingly just no end to the intricate ways the characters can be found to intertwine, allowing anyone (even a humble gardener and an ancient Elf Lord) to find common ground. :D

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/6/2007
I didn’t ever lose him. Gandalf said not to, and I never did.”

That is just so Sam and one of the most perfect lines you've ever written, Shirebound!

I loved the comparisons between Elrond and Sam, and Sam's realisation that he and Frodo really did all they could.

Meant to review when you first posted it but RL can be a real distraction sometimes!

Author Reply: Thank you so much, BB. How many of us find peace in life by knowing, in our hearts and minds, that we truly did "all we could"? And I agree about RL! December was so overloaded with 'stuff' to do, I couldn't wait for January to roll around. I'm hoping this will be a peaceful and creative year for us all.

*hugs you*

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/5/2007
Sorry it has taken me a while to get round to responding to this. It has been sitting in my e.mails to savour whenever I go looking. I love the parallels between Elrond and Sam. And Elrond would be welcome to give me a foot massage anytime! *g* But I bet Sam is a little red!

Author Reply: Yes, I'm sure this was all quite embarrassing to poor Sam. But he feels better now, and that's what matters. Thank you for reading! :D

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/4/2007
I am thankful for the surgery, rough and brutal as it was, offered by Gollum allowing Frodo not to be totally lost, there at the Cracks of Doom. And Sam managed to help draw Frodo back long enough to bring both to where they could be rescued and allowed to know life once more.

A wonderful reassurance offered Sam here by Elrond.

Author Reply: Thank you. I was very inspired by this Sam - Elrond bunny. I love how the Professor wove the themes of patience, endurance, and mercy throughout his magnificent tale. Sam needs to realize that he did well... very well indeed.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/4/2007
Aww...that's such a beautiful comparison, and not one that had occurred to me before. But how true, that both of them were in unique situations--to see a dear friend overcome by the power of that Thing at the very point of Its destruction. Well done!

Author Reply: Thank you. Wasn't that a wonderful bunny? I love finding comparisons between seemingly unrelated characters or events. :D

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/4/2007
This was beautiful, Shirebound, and so very PERFECT! I can't imagine their conversation going any differently.

"I lost Isildur to the Ring, but you did not lose Frodo.”

“No, sir," Sam said with a relieved smile. "Except for that one moment, when the Ring took over at last, I didn’t ever lose him. Gandalf said not to, and I never did.”


It's good that Elrond now has someone he can discuss his own situation with after hundreds of years gone by. He must have himself at one point been blaming himself as Sam was, wondering what would have happened if he'd stopped Isildur in some manner. But alas, poor Elrond has had a very long time to think such things over. If Frodo was meant to carry the One Ring, then perhaps Elrond was meant to endure such a situation at the Cracks of Doom and such guilt himself all those years ago--if only for the sake of being able to truly understand and help one guilty hobbit, Sam, cope with the aftermath. I'm glad Elrond had that talk with Sam ... that they could both help each other. Sam needed that conversation and I'm glad you wrote it! :D

~Elemmírë~



Author Reply: If Frodo was meant to carry the One Ring, then perhaps Elrond was meant to endure such a situation at the Cracks of Doom and such guilt himself all those years ago--if only for the sake of being able to truly understand and help one guilty hobbit, Sam, cope with the aftermath.

My goodness, what an insight. Perhaps so! I'm very glad I wrote this little scene -- it's given me a lot of food for thought, as well. Thank you.

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/3/2007
Well done indeed, Samwise Gamgee! And well done shirebound as well :-)

Author Reply: This bunny was very inspiring. Thank you so much. :D

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